2020–21 FIS Cross-Country World Cup

The 2020–21 FIS Cross-Country World Cup was the 40th official World Cup season in cross-country skiing for men and women.
The season began with the Nordic Opening stage event on 27–29 November 2020 in Ruka, Finland and was planned to conclude with the World Cup Finals on 19–21 March 2021 in Beijing, China. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIS announced on 4 December 2020 that all events in China, including the Cross-Country World Cup final were cancelled. World Cup Finals were moved to Lillehammer, where December competitions couldn't be arranged. However, on 12 February 2021, all the events scheduled in Oslo and Lillehammer were cancelled due to ongoing pandemic. The World Cup Final stage event was called off this year and the season ended on 13–14 March in Engadin, Switzerland, where the final pursuit races made a replacement for cancelled 30/50 kilometers annual competition in Oslo.
The pandemic also reduced participation, after the opening in Ruka the Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish teams announced that they would not compete in Davos and Dresden as they felt that they could not guarantee a safe environment. Later, Norway announced they would also not participate in Tour de Ski.

Points distribution

The table shows the number of points won in the 2020/21 Cross-Country Skiing World Cup for men and women. Team Sprint and Relay used to count only for Nations Cup but from this season they were also included in individual standings.

Achievements

Only individual events.
;First World Cup career victory:
;Men

Erik Valnes, 24, in his 4th season – the WC 1 in Ruka; first podium was 2018–19 WC 8 in Dresden
Oskar Svensson, 25, in his 8th season – the WC 5 in Val di Fiemme; also first podium
Denis Spitsov, 24, in his 4th season – the WC 5 in Val di Fiemme; first podium was 2017–18 WC 8 in Val di Fiemme

;Women

Rosie Brennan, 31, in her 10th season – the WC 2 in Davos; first podium was 2020–21 WC 1 in Ruka
Nadine Fähndrich, 25, in her 6th season – the WC 4 in Dresden; first podium was 2018–19 WC 14 in Cogne
Ebba Andersson, 23, in her 5th season – the WC 5 in Val di Fiemme; first podium was 2018–19 WC 2 in Ruka
Maja Dahlqvist, 26, in her 7th season – the WC 10 in Ulricehamn; first podium was 2017–18 WC 9 in Dresden

;First World Cup podium:
;Men

Aleksey Chervotkin, 25, in his 7th season – no. 2 in the WC 1 in Ruka
Artem Maltsev, 27, in his 5th season – no. 3 in the WC 3 in Davos
Oskar Svensson, 25, in his 8th season – no. 1 in the WC 5 in Val di Fiemme
Jens Burman, 26, in his 7th season – no. 3 in the WC 12 in Engadin

;Women

Helene Marie Fossesholm, 19, in her 2nd season – no. 2 in the WC 1 in Ruka
Rosie Brennan, 31, in her 10th season – no. 3 in the WC 1 in Ruka
Tatiana Sorina, 26, in her 4th season – no. 2 in the WC 1 in Ruka
Hailey Swirbul, 22, in her 3rd season – no. 3 in the WC 3 in Davos
Emma Ribom, 23, in her 3rd season – no. 3 in the WC 5 in Val di Fiemme
Delphine Claudel, 24, in her 5th season – no. 3 in the WC 5 in Val di Fiemme

;Victories in this World Cup :
;Men

Alexander Bolshunov, 10 first places
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, 3 first places
Federico Pellegrino, 3 first places
Oskar Svensson, 2 first places
Emil Iversen, 1 first place
Simen Hegstad Krüger, 1 first place
Hans Christer Holund, 1 first place
Erik Valnes, 1 first place
Denis Spitsov, 1 first place

;Women

Linn Svahn, 6 first places
Therese Johaug, 4 first places
Jessie Diggins, 4 first places
Yuliya Stupak, 2 first places
Rosie Brennan, 2 first places
Heidi Weng, 1 first place
Natalya Nepryayeva, 1 first place
Nadine Fähndrich, 1 first place
Ebba Andersson, 1 first place
Maja Dahlqvist, 1 first place

Retirements

;Men

;Women